Academic Probation, Suspension, Dismissal

Students in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Liberal Studies, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion degree programs are expected to make satisfactory academic progress by maintaining a 2.00 overall cumulative UMW GPA, the standard required for graduation. Students who fall below a 2.00 overall cumulative UMW GPA are in academic jeopardy and are subject to these probation, suspension and dismissal policies.

The purpose of probation, suspension and dismissal is to warn students that they are not doing satisfactory work, to stimulate them to improve their performance, or, finally, to serve notice that the institution does not choose to allow them to continue because there is little or no likelihood of their finishing successfully.

To appeal a suspension action, the student should submit the required appeal form. Appeals are reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing.

Evaluation of academic standing is based on two factors: the number of attempted credits and the minimum overall cumulative GPA. For both full-time and part-time students, the number of attempted credits is calculated by adding the UMW attempted hours (including UMW graded credits, PA, SA, UN, W and repeated credits) to the AP credit, IB credit, CLEP credit, Cambridge credit, and transfer credit hours. The minimum overall GPA is calculated on UMW GPA credits (Grades of PA, SA, UN and W are not considered in calculating the UMW GPA.)

Probation

A student is placed on probation whenever the student’s overall cumulative UMW GPA falls below 2.00. Students on probation who achieve an overall cumulative UMW GPA of 2.00 or higher at the conclusion of either the fall or spring semester will be removed from probation. Any student previously on probation whose overall cumulative UMW GPA falls again below a 2.00 at the conclusion of either the fall or spring semester or the summer session will be returned to probation. As appropriate, a notation of the student’s probation status is entered on the student’s permanent record. A student placed on academic probation is expected to consult with his or her faculty advisor and the Office of Academic and Career Services no later than the first week of the ensuing semester. A student placed on “academic probation” may continue to participate in any extracurricular opportunities offered by the institution except those activities that require a specific GPA threshold.

Suspension/Dismissal

Students who do not make satisfactory progress (please see chart below) while on probation will be suspended/dismissed. No student can be suspended after only one semester at the University; a period of probation of at least one semester duration will always precede suspension/dismissal action. As appropriate, a notation of the student’s suspension/dismissal status is entered on the student’s permanent record. A suspended student may not register for any classes at UMW (semester or summer) until his or her term of suspension expires. However, a student under first suspension may enroll in UMW’s summer school after consultation with the Office of Academic and Career Services. A dismissed student is ineligible to obtain a degree from UMW or to continue enrollment in courses offered by the University.

The academic records of all students on probation are subject to review for academic suspension/dismissal at the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters and the summer session. All students on probation must have met the appropriate minimum overall cumulative UMW GPA, based upon their number of credits (including AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, and transfer credits as well as all UMW attempted GPA hours).

Number of
Attempted
Credits

Minimum Overall
Cumulative GPA

12-30

1.60

31-45

1.80

46-60

1.90

61-122+

2.00

All students on probation who have not achieved the requisite minimum overall cumulative GPA at the conclusion of each fall or spring semester or the summer session will be suspended/dismissed, according to the terms below:

First Suspension

One-semester suspension. The student will be ineligible to attend the subsequent semester, but he or she would be eligible to return for the semester following the semester away from the University. However, a suspended student would be eligible to attend UMW’s summer school after consultation with the Office of Academic and Career Services. If a suspended student’s GPA meets the minimum overall cumulative GPA at the end of the summer session, that student will be automatically reinstated.

Second Suspension

Two-semesters suspension. The student will be ineligible to attend the subsequent summer session, fall semester and spring semester; but he or she would be eligible to return for the following summer term and/or fall semester. Any student placed on suspension may appeal his or her suspension to the Committee on Academic Standing. Students cannot be evaluated for a second suspension until they return from a first suspension as either a full-time or part-time student during the fall or spring semester following the guidelines but not the deadlines in the following section: Reinstatement after suspension.

Dismissal

A dismissed student is ineligible to obtain a degree from UMW or to continue enrollment in courses offered by the University.

NOTE: Courses taken at other institutions while a student is on suspension (academic, disciplinary, or honor) from UMW are NOT ACCEPTED by UMW for transfer credit and will not fulfill ANY degree requirement. Prior permission for future transfer course work is automatically revoked when a student is suspended/dismissed.

Reinstatement after Suspension

A student returning from suspension after the end of the spring semester is eligible to take courses during the subsequent summer term. (See the section of the Catalog on Readmission/Reinstatement.)